Turning Two

Two years ago I created a blog on the URL http://confessionsofapartyphile.blogspot.com. In many ways that blog was like my online diary wherein I shared my controversial secrets about my party life. I entitled it: Confessions of a Partyphile because that was exactly what it was supposed to be; full of confessions. Unlike most mainstream material and articles that revolved around partying I did not want to focus on the glamorous side of partying. I wanted to keep it real. I talked about things that nobody else talked about. It was definitely a far cry from all the fun articles people read about the party scene. Did the blog get attention? Not really, but it served me well to have a venue wherein I could share all my opinions about the local party scene; a scene that I was only starting to discover thanks to a dear friend, Anna Vellarino.

Two months after publishing Confessions of a Partyphile (the blog) Otoi Mercado stumbled upon it and asked me if I wanted to write for this paper, Edge Davao. And that started it all. For my first article, I explained why I felt like partying was necessary. At that point, I thought I was going to write one article for Edge Davao and simply write for the heck of it. However, as the weeks passed, I found myself writing more and more articles for Edge Davao that explained to people the dynamic between young people and partying. Before I knew it the management of this paper asked me to submit articles weekly. As the months passed I started tackling more serious topics as I wanted to give out one resounding message: that partyphiles aren’t just pretty faces who wanted to be seen in public. I wanted the rest of the world to realize that partying and wanting to party is not bad, and that life was to be lived as if it were one big party. I do not know if my articles were successful in giving that message out; but I could not find a way to gauge that so I let it be. I figured that as long as partyphiles have a voice, the message would surely get across in time.

A year after my newspaper column was first published, Confessions of a Partyphile (the radio show) was launched on 105.9 Mix FM. Aired every Wednesday evenings from six to nine, the radio show played purely party music. In fact, a quick listen to my radio show would make you realize that it did not sound like any other radio show in the city, or in Mindanao for that matter. Confessions of a Partyphile (the radio show) combined party-related topics like cocktail recipes, wacky holidays, event updates, and some in-depth lessons about partying, alcohol, and everything that comes with the territory with exclusive remixes to radio-friendly songs, and house ditties that you would not hear on any other radio show, or radio station in Davao City (or in some cases, the Philippines). Yup, Mix FM gifted Confessions of a Partyphile (the radio show) with the opportunity to play songs that have not yet even been released commercially; or have not made its way to the dance floor. The last year I have spent on Confessions of a Partyphile (the radio show) was definitely difficult, but it was hell of a lot fun.

And because I want to give back to my readers, listeners, and the rest of the partyphiles in Davao City, Confessions of a Partyphile has partnered with 105.9 Mix FM and Marco Polo Davao’s Eagles Bar to bring you the first Confessions of a Partyphile Anniversary Party that happens this Friday, July 30, 9 PM. I hope to see you there as we all celebrate Confessions of a Partyphile’s second anniversary.

Confession Number 32:

The last two years of my life (doing Confessions of a Partyphile the blog, newspaper column, and radio show) cost me a lot. It cost me a job at a prestigious international company and it cost me, well, a lot of moolah. But it was all worth it. Sometimes, when I hear that someone enjoyed reading my article, or someone remembered what I said on the radio, it makes it feel like it is all worth it. And I think that is the true meaning of being a partyphile; having the guts to back your decision up and finding pleasure in the little things in life. If you really think about it, a certain sense of fulfillment and inner peace is required for anyone to truly enjoy living the partyphile life. They always say partyphiles are the saddest people in the world because they would rather drown themselves in alcohol and loud music rather than sit with themselves and contemplate on their lives. I say, partyphiles are just satisfied and fulfilled with their lives, and do not have a reason to mope around. And because you, my dear partyphile reader, are no loser, you have to come to my party and celebrate with me. See you there!

For comments, suggestions, and more confessions from this partyphile log on to http://party.i.ph

Listen to Confessions of a Partyphile on the radio every Wednesday evenings, 6 to 9 PM on 105.9 Mix FM.